I really appreciate the ideas offered to me about my aspiring Eagle scout as
well as getting some really good leads on having an art night at my elem.
school. Many of you referred me to the same book by the woman at the
Metropolitan- thanks- I've ordered it and loved the "stick figure" theme,
because it is a recurring comment from parents who are intimidated by
drawing... I appreciate all the food for thought, since being the only art
person in a school can be like working in a vaccuum.
Vicki- I work under similar time constraints and ditto the advice given about
doing longer projects- my students never tire of a longer project- even after
I have felt ready to move on- and the results and message to kids about good
work taking time are worth it. Re: clay projects at the el. level: I've
gotten good work from gr. 1 and K from Plasriroc and Model Magic- but because
they are expensive, I can only offer the smallest handful- the kids accept
this limitation- and come up with great "mini-masterpieces" that still allow
for discussion on what sculpture is, etc. I've gotten to even like neon
colored plasticene- the formulation isn't nearly as greasy and smelly as it
was years ago.
Re: info on Hispanic artists... There's a fabulous sculptor, still alive and
kickin', by the name of Himenez (Paul, perhaps?) who has his oversized
sculptures in many public places - Phila., Detroit. I don'y know where you are
from, but he is in Tx. or NM- somewhere- His work is so unusual, he'd be
fascinating for kids...
Sorry I can't remember more, I'll see what I can find out and let you know.